Marvin Proffer

OAKVILLE, Mo. -- Marvin E. Proffer, 88, of Oakville passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at his home.

He was born Feb. 3, 1931, in Cape Girardeau to Marvin W. and Alta Proffer.

Marvin's life centered around his participation and involvement in politics, government, the community, church and his family. He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School and was granted a football scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University. In 1953, he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Education and then received a graduate assistantship to the University of Missouri-Columbia. He graduated with a master's in education in 1954.

Marvin served in the U.S. Army and settled in Jackson. There he ran the family newspaper, theater, printing and insurance businesses. At age 25, he was elected to the Jackson City Council and became very active in community affairs through the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and Rotary. He started the Jackson Jaycees, set up a summer recreation program and started and managed baseball teams.

Marvin was elected to the Missouri General Assembly in the House of Representatives in 1962, where he served 26 years, eight years as Budget chairman. Some of his many accomplishments include Southeast Missouri State University's Show Me Center, Missouri Veterans Home and Missouri Conservation Center. In 1988, he received the Legislative Award for passing the Missouri Seat Belt Law. He also passed the bill for Unclaimed Property in Missouri. After his retirement from the legislature, he continued serving the people of Missouri by representing Southeast Missouri State and the Missouri Port Authority as a lobbyist in Jefferson City. He was truly a public servant.

Marvin was the loving husband of Donna Lohse Proffer; father of Kirk (Cathy) Proffer, Marian (Steve) Houser and Kent (Peggy) Proffer; stepfather of Michael (Lisa) Becherer; grandfather to Staci Houser, Drew (Carri) Houser, Cory (Lindsay) Proffer, Craig Proffer, Baleigh and Mallory Proffer, Chris (Kayli) Becherer, Kyle and Connor Becherer; great-grandfather to Soie and Nash Houser, Emerson and Lennon Proffer; and brother-in-law to Peggy Proffer, Anita Dickerson, Kent (Rosana) Wilson and Jim (Lordes) Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin W. and Alta Proffer, and brother, Charles Proffer.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 5508 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, MO 63129 (Oakville), followed by a graveside service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marvin Proffer Memorial Garden at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Oakville or Kindred Hospice.